Guatemala lawmakers propose jail for “hate” speech

Guatemala lawmakers have introduced legislation that would punish with prison time certain kinds of speech criticising elected officials and candidates.

Five legislators introduced the legislation on Tuesday but reactions have followed, prompting charges that it would violate constitutional measures guaranteeing freedom of expression.

The initiative targets “those who make acts of pressure, persecution and harassment” against politicians “in any medium of diffusion and/or on digital platforms, with the end of impeding the exercise of their political rights.”

It calls for sentences of two to three years.

Eva Monte, a lawmaker who has supported President Jimmy Morales, denied that the bill would stifle free speech and said it aims to crack down on defamation.

“This will serve to punish, for example, when a candidate or politician is linked to cases of corruption but in reality is not being investigated or accused.

“That would be a kind of coercion and should be punished.

“This also seeks to protect lawmakers, the vice president and the president,” Monte said.

Morales is suspected of accepting illicit campaign finance contributions, but a request to withdraw the immunity from prosecution that he enjoys as sitting president was not approved by congress.